Do I have an Eating Disorder, or am I just Depressed?

[food hog]

hey all,

 

i'm a 31 yr old dude from CA.

 

My problem is, I'm finding it extremely hard to get the motivation to do anything

with myself. I have a solid job, i show up on time, i have a few hobbies, i have

my girlfriend who I love & live with...But... I just can't get motivated to get back in school

or get moving on a "real" career or even get out and exercise to take care of my body

and it's really bumming me out and depressing me.

 

I'm not sure what it is, yeah, i'm feeling a bit old and lame because I haven't figured out my

career situation, yes i do hate my job, yes I hate this city, Yes i'm living paycheck to paycheck

lately cuz I need to find a better paying job. But I've always loved eating. But in the past

i've always been a runner and had a runner's body.

 

But lately when i get bored or bummed, i'm finding that I'll EAT.

I feel like an alcoholic or a "food-a-holic"... I've been feeling this way

for the past 6 months and i've gained 14 pounds since then and have done 0 exercise.

I'm eating whatever the heck i want, McDonalds, Jack In The Box, Hostess cakes in the morning, tons of

soda, candy, Ice Cream every night for dessert. I know it's all bad stuff, i just can't get out

of the rut i'm in and I'm indulging way too much.

 

My Girlfriend says i'm just a healthy growing guy, but i'm 31, i'm sure i stopped growing a long time

ago. She only sees what i eat when i'm her, she doesn;t know about Lunch time at work,

when I eat McDonalds or Burger King or when She's working nights and I'll eat Carl's Jr or a whole

box of Craft Macaroni & cheese, Family Size!

 

I'm starting to feel really slow and I look out of shape. But it's not kicking my ass into gear.

 

anyone else like this?

[tiki]

Originally posted by food hog

anyone else like this?

 

 

No.

 

Not no, but HEYELLL NO.

 

Who (physically) can afford to eat like this? You're trashing your body and it's not 'cute' by any means. You're too old to be eating like a teenager, don'tcha think?

 

You'll be having heart attacks soon if you don't stop and get it under control.

 

The bottom line: You know better!

[monkey00]

sounds to me like your body could be suffereing from stress.

 

You dont sound depressed.

 

I know how you feel, im in your same shoes right now. If it werent for my friend, i would not have realized that the cause of my problems were caused by stress.

I've been having this eating disorder ( cant eat much food). indigestion and trouble sleeping.

 

Lately i found i havent been giving a crap for much either. Yes i have a daily job like you too and it doesnt pay much, which is quite stressing.

 

The best prognosis i advise is probably take a vacation, or get some away time, try meditation it works also.

[moimeme]

When you're depressed, you try to find something to fill the void. Food seems to be a good fix because you feel good for the moments you're munching on the food. Only problem is that as soon as food's gone, so is good feeling. So you eat more. And then your failure to take care of yourself adds to the other 'failures' that are bothering you.

 

If you can't get past this on your own, go see your doc. Remember, though, that exercise itself can help to improve your mood and outlook. If it feels like too much effort to go play squash or something, just go for a walk. And if you don't live near someplace nice to walk, go 'mall walking'! It works for folks. Just don't stop at Baskin Robbins for a treat when you're done.

[HotCaliGirl]

I think you have developed an eating disorder because you are depressed and as moimeme says, you feel better temporarily while you eat, but in the long run it has made you even more depressed by ruining your body.

 

You can't control your salary, but you do have control over how much you eat. Take m's advice to be more physically active. As a former runner, you know how good it feels to run and be active and not eat all that junk.

 

Sounds like you're going through a tough time financially but don't take it out on your health. Tell yourself that you will no longer go to Carl's Jr. at night or to Jack in the Box for lunch (unless you're getting a salad). If you're on a tight budget, this is making your situation even worse. Set aside a set amount of food you'll have for the day and stick to it.

 

When your gf is at work and you feel like eating at night, start jumproping or read some posts here on LS or do something else, but DON'T make eating an option or a consideration. The older you get, the harder it is to lose weight, so think of your future and how much more miserable you're going to be if you continue eating like this.

 

Spend the money from one of the McDonald's meals on purchasing a men's fitness magazine, read some of the tips and look at the pictures of the nice bods to motivate you to get into shape!

 

PLEASE STOP EATING THOSE HOSTESS CAKES IN THE MORNING. You are starting out the day so poorly that even if you had fruits the rest of the day it wouldn't make up for that junk. Have some yogurt or eggs and real food instead.

 

Give yourself 6 months to lose those 14 pounds you put on. Otherwise I can see that you're heading to gain another 14 if not more in the near future. Start changing your eating habits, not tomorrow, but now!

[monkey00]

Many types of illnesses are stress related. There are times where stress becomes worse and can lead to depression. But from the sounds of it, you havent reached depression yet. AND YES eating disorders can be caused by stress as well, not only depression. If you are having trouble with dealing with this, i suggest seeing a counselour.

[food hog]

seriously, yes, I am too old to be eating like a

teenager and Yes, I know better than that. I just hate eating

healthy and can't afford to be stocking the cupboards with nutritous

foods right now. I've just been going for convenience, even though

I know it's so bad for me, but I just haven't been caring much. I don't

care. But obviously it's bugging me, which is why i'm asking for help.

 

I've always loved good food. Always loved to eat. I've never been a

heavy person, i've always been skinny with a healthy appetite. I don't look horribly

bad right now, but i can't tell i'm out of shape and my beely is starting to stick out a lot

and my pants are fitting tighter than ever before. Definately No Six pack to be found.

 

I'm impatient and lazy and tired lately, and I just don't want to go to the trouble of eating

better, when Macaroni and Cheese and Fried chicken and root Beer sounds so

good to eat. Then i'll top it off with some good ice cream afterwards. That's

how it's been the last 6 months. I've never been this bad before. I'm not finding any

excitement in running or trying to eat better. Soda and Junk food makes me feel

better. I look foward to it.

 

 

i'm going to try real hard, to kick this funk. I'm going to go for a run tonight and try and

eat cucumbers and lean chicken or something for dinner. Hopefully I can get past one

day of running and keep it up, I just get so tired and lazy lately, i don't feel like getting

out of bed.

[scarlyjones]

Yeah,....I think that you are depressed. But you know,..I dont think that its THAT big a problem. Maybe if you started going to the gym twice a week or something. That way you wouldnt feel so bad about eating the things you do. You know,....they have salads at McDonalds....... .....not everything you eat has to be bad. Some things good for you arent nasty tasting.

[blind_otter]

Read "Fastfood Nation" and watch the movie "Supersize Me" -- I promise you won't be able to stomach fast food after that.

 

I tried to eat at McDonalds, I really did. I ordered a bacon egg and cheese biscuit and took one bite and fed the rest to my friend's dog, who farted awfully for the rest of the afternoon. Blech. Really. Once you read that book the only thing you will think, looking at the preservative-filled, artificially flavored, nasty food they serve is "poison poison poison".

 

Funny thing about exercise - the more you do, the better you feel.

[scarlyjones]

The only thing with the "Supersize Me" movie is...didnt he eat McDonalds for EVERY meal or a month or something?

[jellybean]

Hi food hog,

 

You've turned to food for comfort, because of the unsatisfying life you find yourself leading. You're disappointed in yourself because you haven't attained certain personal goals, and you hate your job and city. You said you've always loved to eat - unfortunately now you've gone a little overboard - but that's because you view eating as one of the few joys left.

 

It could be worse - I'm glad to hear you are not self-medicating with alcohol or drugs.

 

Gaining 14 pounds in 6 months is not that bad - but it's added additional problems in your life, because the extra pounds have effected your self-image, you feel sluggish, and it's even harder now to get motivated about anything.

 

Not to mention the guilt you might be feeling, because you have to hide the fact from your girlfriend that you've become a closet over-eater.

 

It's good that you're examining your behaviour - you don't want to continue futher over-indulging, to the point you end up as big as a house.

 

A couple of facts you might want to consider :

- over-eating/under-eating are common symptoms of depression.

- stress and boredom are major triggers for over-eating

 

It might be a good idea to see a professional, for an emotional check-up.

 

Also - now THIS you will find weird I'm sure...but just hear me out for a sec, okay?

The weight gain could be a blessing in disguise

Let me explain...when you start dieting and exercising to rid your body of the extra flab, the results will leave you feeling elated. When you have reached your goal of shedding all the excess pounds - you'll feel a real sense of accomplishment! It will make you realize that if you were able to successfully conquer the weight problem, then nothing is going to stop you from coping and overcoming other hurdles in your life. It will be a feeling of self-pride, confidence, and the extra energy will give you the motivation to have the desire to do other stuff......sounds crazy, I know - but trust me on this.

 

I still recommend you go talk to someone though - I believe what you have is a symptom of something else.

 

Good luck

[blind_otter]

Originally posted by scarlyjones

The only thing with the "Supersize Me" movie is...didnt he eat McDonalds for EVERY meal or a month or something?

 

Yeah. I think he was trying to show a dramatization of what happens to your body slowly over time. The average American eats 3 hamburgers and 4 orders of fries a WEEK! Americans spend more money on fastfood than they do on cars or higher education, per year!! It's crazy!

 

No where's my Boston Market chicken ceasar?

[tiki]

Originally posted by blind_otter

I tried to eat at McDonalds, I really did. I ordered a bacon egg and cheese biscuit and took one bite and fed the rest to my friend's dog, who farted awfully for the rest of the afternoon. Blech.

 

Hey...your screen name sounds familiar....aren't you the one that got slapped with some 'animal negligence' or something? I see how you are.

 

 

But yes....watch Supersize me and you'll never wanna eat that crap again.

[scarlyjones]

yeah but if you eat at ANY fast food place everday for a month,...you're gonna get that sick and fat

[scarlyjones]

Ive eaten at McDonalds my whole life......................Im 5ft 9" and 118 lbs. I think thats pretty darn good!

[laRubiaBonita]

you sound bored to me.

[moimeme]

I just hate eating healthy

 

Actually, if you experiment, you'll likely find healthy foods that are so delicious, you'll crave them. Yes, at first, everything tasted like straw and grass but the healthy-type food industry has been working hard at coming up with tasty products and they're doing a grand job. Once you've stayed off the greasy, fried, and fatty junk for a while you'll find that you develop a distaste for it.

 

yeah but if you eat at ANY fast food place everday for a month,...you're gonna get that sick and fat

 

Not Subway!

[RecordProducer]

IMHO you need to see a therapist regarding your depression. There are medications that make you feel motivated and cheerful. You start viewing your position realistically and take actions that you benefit from later. When things are improved, you can stop taking the medication, but you're already on your way of doing things right and you feel happy.

Start eating healthy food. Healthy food is tasty too, ya know? If you have extra lbs, just skip dinner. Have something light for dinner like fruit yogurt and salad and go to bed hungry.

Eat rice and fish (or low fat meat) for lunch, low fat yogurt, veggies, and fruit. Eat two small sandwiches at home for breakfast and stop buying food outside home.

[scarlyjones]

yeah,.....subway!!! .....Subway isnt really fastfood though. Ever get behind some guy and think "cool,...only one dude in front of me.....Im next" only to see the guy pull out a list with like 753 orders on it from his work? That ain t fast.....

[bicyclejunk]

BOTTOM LINE:

 

You just need to get out of the house and EXERCISE.

 

Still eat the fun stuff you like, But Cut Down on it. When you feel

like eating a big dessert, drink a glass of water. Sure it won't taste the

same, but it'll fill you up and not leave you with the GUILT you feel

afterwards.

 

I'm telling you though, once you get out and start exercising, you WILL

feel more motivated to tackle more things, as someone already advised you

of on this post. It's true. Don't look at the Long Road Ahead of exercise, start small

go kick the ol' soccer ball around at the park and run along with the ball, it'll

get you moving and you'll be burning calories.

 

You CAN'T keep eating the way you're eating, without exercising to burn it off.

You digging yourself into a whole, Crawl Out!!!!!!!!!!!!!